§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe Prime Minister, in another place, in answer to a Question, has made a statement on behalf of the Government in regard to the policy in Crete, and, although no Question has been addressed to me, I propose to make an identical statement to this House if they will permit me. We have recommended to our allies that the following policy should be adopted:—
(1) That the establishment of administrative autonomy in Crete is, in our judgment, a necessary condition to the termination of the international occupation; (2) that, subject to the above provision, Crete ought, in our judgment, to remain a portion of the Turkish Empire; (3) that Turkey and Greece ought to be informed by the Powers of the above resolution; and (4) that if either Turkey or Greece persistently refuse, when required, to withdraw their naval and military forces from the island, the Powers should impose their decision by force upon the State so refusing.We have received no official information that these views are shared by all our 1151 allies; but we have every reason to believe that they are. [Cheers.]
§ *SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT (Monmouthshire, W.)I am sure that the House will feel the extreme gravity of the announcement made by the right hon. Gentleman, affecting, as it does, the relations of this country, not only at present, but in future, with all the Powers of Europe, with the Government of Turkey, and with the Government of Greece, especially in the last paragraph relating to the employment of force. The House ought to address itself to this question with due deliberation, and we ought to have time to consider the bearing of the statement made by Her Majesty's Government, and not enter upon it without consideration. At the same time I am sure that the Government will feel, and the House will feel, that we ought to have an opportunity of properly asking for further explanations with reference to the policy of Her Majesty's Government. [Cheers.] I am quite sure that that is a view in which Her Majesty's Government will concur, and therefore I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will intimate his willingness to enter into arrangements, which may be made according to the convenience of the House, for an early discussion of this matter, with a view to further explanations on behalf of Her Majesty's Government. I would venture to suggest that To-morrow may be a convenient day. [An HON. MEMBER: "That is Friday."]
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe appeal which has been made by the right hon. Gentleman must, of course, be considered favourably by Her Majesty's Government, having regard to the quarter from which the appeal comes. But I would remind the right hon. Gentleman that we have already had two adjournments on the subject of Crete; and that if this appeal is merely for the purpose of eliciting information and having a desultory discussion, strict limits of time ought to be placed on any Debate which may be raised. ["Hear, hear!"] Of course, if the right hon. Gentleman desires to move a Vote of Censure upon the Government, that is an entirely different matter, and I should not desire to burke any suggestion that might be necessary under such circumstances. I should be glad to consider with the right hon. 1152 Gentleman what course ought to be pursued, but I say at once that I do not think that To-morrow would be a convenient day for it, as it would interfere with the Friday Rule, and in addition to that I think that it would be specially inconvenient at present that the time for discussing the Supplementary Estimates, which are very pressing, should be unduly cut short. [Cheers.]
§ *SIR W. HARCOURTCertainly it would not be consistent with the views I have presented that we should desire at present and be prepared to move a Vote of Censure upon Her Majesty's Government. What we are asking for is an explanation to the House and the country of the policy which the Government are pursuing, and which, I understand, the other Powers of Europe are pursuing. It is quite obvious that the discussion and explanation should take place at the earliest possible moment, and we do not require at this time anything beyond explanations from Her Majesty's Government. But I would still suggest to the right hon. Gentleman that, if there are to be these explanations on the part of the Government, it would be inconvenient to postpone them for several days—inconvenient to the Government, inconvenient to the country, and inconvenient with reference to the negotiations that are going on. After all, the Supplementary Estimates might be taken upon another day. The sooner this question is taken out of public rumour by authoritative statements on the part of the Government of a much fuller description than that we have to-night, the better it will be for all parties concerned. ["Hear, hear!"]
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI may say, in answer to the right hon. Gentleman, that I think we have done our best by so far departing from ordinary diplomatic traditions as to make this statement of our views before receiving full and formal assent of those views from our colleagues. I think that it would be a pity if the discussion should take place as early as to-morrow, before that assent has been received. We shall be in a far better position to discuss the matter at a later date. I, therefore, still adhere to the view that a later date would be better.
§ *SIR W. HARCOURTMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will say Monday? [Cries of "No."]
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThat must, of course, depend upon the state of the negotiations, but I shall be glad to communicate with the right hon. Gentleman on the subject.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman what is meant by the expression "administrative autonomy"? Does he mean that the people of Crete are to have the power to make their laws, or are they to be subject to the control of the Turkish Government?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYWell, Sir, there are plenty of instances of autonomy in the Turkish Empire already. ["Hear, hear!" and laughter.]